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Video: Archival footage of the historic Vickers Vimy during the 1919 Air Race

written by Hannah Dowling | January 24, 2022

 

Vickers Vimy, G-EAOU, also affectionately known as “God ‘Elp All Of Us” (State Library of New South Wales).

Watch below to see archival footage of the historic Vickers Vimy, which carried the first all-Australian air crew from England to Australia, as part of the 1919 Air Race.

The aircraft, registration G-EAOU, carried South Australian brothers Sir Keith and Sir Ross Smith along with mechanics Jim Bennett and Wally Shiers from Hounslow Heath Aerodrome to Darwin – via Singapore and Batavia – in December 1919.

The aircraft, dubbed “God ‘Elp All Of Us” by its flight crew, was largely made of wood lined with fabric.

It took the team aboard the Vickers Vimy a total of 28 days to complete their journey, with over 18,000 kilometres travelled.

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To date, the original Vickers Vimy aircraft has been preserved in a purpose-built climate-controlled museum at Adelaide Airport, with the museum currently located near the long-term carpark.

The restored original aircraft is currently being carefully dismantled and prepared, ahead of its relocation into Adelaide Airport’s newly expanded terminal.

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